How’s your pile of scraps?  My little odd pieces of fabric have filled a twenty gallon storage tote to overflowing, and two large shopping bags.   It’s time to use some of those scraps!   I wonder how many “free” quilts I can make from them?

Tracey Brookshier has several patterns that will take those scraps and create beautiful quilts.

Use 30′s fabrics, or any colorful bits, to paper piece Grandma’s Aprons.  This 35″ x 42″ quilt will look great on a kitchen wall and will surely bring back happy kitchen memories.

I love the transition from light to dark back to light again in the Bento Box quilt.  It reminds me of the circle of life.  This quilt looks great with oriental fabric scraps or batik scraps.

Grab all the shades of red you can find… from the palest pink to the deepest maroon and set these Hearts Afire! Instructions are included for a lap size and a bed size quilt.  And you can choose whether you want to do rotary cutting or use templates.

If you’ve never made a crazy quilt, Pretty Crazy is a great introduction.  You’ll not only use your fabric scraps, but also those odd bits of ribbon, lace, ricrac and what-not!  Pattern includes instructions for a 37″ x 48″ quilt and 16″ square pillows.

Check out the rest of Brookshier Design Studio’s quilt patterns and pull out those scraps you’ve been saving.  You’ll be glad you did.

Four Corners Designs began in 1985 and has designed hundreds of books and
patterns for the quilting community since then. Their publications have become well-known for their innovative ideas, easy techniques, and clear instructions whether the projects are quilts, garments, or accessories.

Recently, publishing and distribution of the Four Corners Designs is being
provided by QuiltersWarehouse.  

“QuiltersWarehouse.com is a recognized leader in the quilting industry. Their prompt delivery and exceptional customer service makes for a good fit with the us,” says Four Corners Designs.

“Already on the presses and now ready for shipping is the very popular Raggy Jacket, which has not been available since November of 2010.   It is the first in a series of Four Corners Designs’ retired patterns that are being considered for re-release,” says John Bruns, CEO of QuiltersWarehouse.

Raggy Jacket is constructed with the “raggy piecing technique” so it’s fast and easy to put together.  With only two layers of fabric it’s the perfect year round jacket…. cool summer nights, fall days, winter time inside when you just can’t warm up and early spring when a day in the 50′s seems almost like summer!  It’s a cute, comfy jacket and the more you wear it and wash it, the more loved and comfy it will look. 

Since I can’t decide on a color scheme, I’m thinking I might need to make one in fall and winter colors, and another one in bright, happy colors for spring and summer.

Go ahead and check out the rest of the Four Corners Designs… me, I’m off to select fabric for my jackets!

 It’s Time For Tea!  This paper foundation pieced pattern by MH Designs is the perfect gift for a tea loving friend. 

Tea For Who Teapot Cozy is big enough for most teapots and will keep a few teabags and measuring spoons at the ready. Who wants tea?

Tea-lightful is another paper piecing pattern.   You can use your scraps for this or try one of the fabric packs available: 1930′s or Dainty Floral.  I made this with the Floral pack and those teacups looked like delicate, fine china…. it’s a beautiful quilt.

Totally Teapots is a fun collection of teapots.   Save pieces of your favorite fabrics for these different shaped teapots.  This 46″ x 42″ applique quilt is great for hanging in your kitchen.

Afternoon Tea is a collection of 18 beautiful teapots all hand embroidered.  This is the kind of quilt that will be well loved and passed down through the generations.  The is also a machine embroidered version available.

Periwinkle Lane is full of whimsical houses…. Block 3 is this lovely teapot.

Block 8 of a series of 12 blocks is Me and Grandma Having a Tea Party.   Tea parties with Grandma are always special… and if you are the Grandma you appreciate how special even as you’re having it.

Hope you enjoyed our spot of tea!

In the last post, all the talk about washing fabrics got me to thinking about “wash day” and clothes hanging on the line to dry.  I always love the look of clothes on a line and, depending on what clothes, it can make a great picture.   But the best is when the quilts are hanging.   One of my neighbors still uses a clothesline and occasionally the quilts are out.  I love it those days!

I found a few patterns that feature full clotheslines . . .

A Day At The Beach sounds pretty good right about now, doesn’t it?   Someone has already been swimming and their swimsuits are hanging out to dry.  This paper foundation pieced pattern by MH Designs is packed with detail, including a couple three dimensional effects with the kite tail and the clothesline.

It’s Quilter’s Wash Day with three beautiful quilts hanging between two bird house poles.  Another paper foundation pieced pattern by MH Designs.  The paper piecing technique will give you sharp point and near perfect looking quilts even working in such a small scale.  Finished size is 15″ x 20″

I’ve been working on the Periwinkle Lane blocks – I love them! – and I’m looking forward to Block 12.

I also found a few jigsaw puzzles with quilts on clotheslines…..

I’m so glad I have a dryer and don’t need to hang clothes or quilts outside in the winter time, but this sure is a pretty picture of Amish Winter.

This makes another pretty picture but with all the birds Meeting At The Clothesline it makes me a bit nervous….. I hope those birds respect that quilt!

Well, all these pictures and all this talk has got me in the mood.  No, not the do the wash, to quilt!

Kara Schorstein of Seams & Dreams has a wide variety of patterns.  Her quilt designs range from easy modern styles to rather intricate traditional pieces.  Whether you are a beginner quilter or have been quilting for a long time, Kara will have something for you.   And she hasn’t stopped at just quilts.  Several of her patterns are for aprons, skirts, jackets and home decor.

Marble Game uses marble fabrics to frame prints.   The fabric used for the sashing within the blocks is repeated in the narrow border.   Tiny contrasting corners in each block come together to create multi-colored diamond pieces.  This is a great quilt for you to use up some of your scraps. Instructions for crib size and queen size.

Kara Schorstein started with the traditional Irish Chain Block, modified it, and created Crossroads.  Two simple blocks that work together for a striking design.  Instructions are for a table topper with a scalloped border and a queen size quilt.

Need a summer skirt?  Need to look like you lost a few pounds?  Try the Simple Slimming Skirt Pattern.  With sizes from 6 to 18+, there are three style variations and the underskirt is optional.

Need a new purse to go with your new skirt?  Oh, you made two skirts?!  No problem!  Make one of Lizzie’s Reversible Bags and you have a different purse for each skirt!

Do you have an occassional table that you like to dress up and change with the seasons?   Seasoning The Table gives you seven options for appropriate table toppers.  Log cabin blocks grace the center of each and you can choose the layout.

This selection barely scratches the surface of Seams & Dreams quilt patterns….. there are dozens more.

Make a few useful items for your kitchen and brighten it up at the same time.  While you are sewing you could make a few extra and you’ll have hostess gifts on hand ready for when you need them.

Are they oven mitts or are they potholders?  They’re both! They’re Pot Handlers.  So easy to make and with so many opportunities to embellish and personalize you’ll get hooked on sewing these up.  You won’t be hiding these in your kitchen drawer…. you can make them so cute you’ll be hanging them out in the open to show them off and brighten your kitchen.

Add a splash of color to your countertop with a bowl full of Hot Fingers.   At 8″ x 4″ these are just right for quick little hot jobs… opening the popcorn bag, lifting a pot lid to give that stew a stir.  I know.  Too hot for stew right now. But it won’t be long and we’ll be lamenting the passing of summer, welcoming fall, and longing for a steaming plate of beef stew!  Embellish these to match your Pot Handlers.  Or add a small bit of applique.

The Grocery Sack Sleeve Pattern turns that unsightly mess of grocery bags that you recycle into a cute column of color.  It keeps those bags handy and easy to grab.  So much prettier.

You know that kitchen towel that you have hanging around?  Not the one that’s on the counter getting wet, but the one that hangs out pretending to be useful but you don’t really want to use it and mess it up ’cause it’s pretty?  Make a few extra pretty ones and then you can actually use it occasionally!  Prairie Point Kitchen Towels take ordinary towels and promote them to pretty.

Browse this page of Kitchen Patterns and you’ll see a few appropriate kitchen fabrics too!